VASTU

Basics : The ancient Indian Saints/Rishis had learnt from Vedic times how the Panch Maha Bhutas i.e. Fire, Earth, Air, Water and Sky influences human beings and their dwellings. They had also learnt how the solar energy and North-magnetic energy affect the destiny of people.
Vaastu Shastra deals with this matter while building houses and also with utilization of five basic elements available freely for human beings on this Earth. This is a universally applicable science and we can see from our ancient times how people lived happily following the learnings of this science.
This science also deals with materials like wood, cement, steel etc. which is ultimately known as Vaastu Samudaya. It is well known that earth spins around its North-South axis and is also tilted from the axis towards North. North-East Zone is having positive cosmic energy and is thus very important.
Energy travels from North to South making Semi-spherical energy lines and keeping the middle portion (Brahma Sthal) with weak flow of energy. It is for these reasons that plot dimensions are suggested are usually 1:11/2 size or a 1:2 size. As this can be seen if the length of the plot is more, the energy flow becomes feeble on all the four sides.

This can be proved by Einstenian theory of relativity also. We have studied in detail a large number of dwelling houses where Vaastu principles were not observed. The inmates were suffering either from financial losses, health problems, thefts, accidents, court litigation, incurable diseases etc. The remedial measures through Vaastu helped a lot and gave instant relief in most of the cases.
The result is being obtained with the help of an admixture of solar energy, earth's magnetic energy, gravitational force and cosmos energy. Thus there is no involvement of caste, creed or religion in getting the benefits from Pyramid Power. This experience is also in line with the research made by our ancient Rishis on this subject.

The Five Elements:Vaastu shastra helps one to get the natural benefits freely offered by the five basic elements (Pancha bootha) of the universe in which we all live. The five elements are Akash (SKY), Prithvi (EARTH), Paani (WATER, Agni (FIRE) and Vayu (WIND).
Vastu Shastra can be applied by keeping in harmony with these basic five elements of nature. It is an edifice science that was developed by our learned people thousands of years ago. Its application today is purely architectural and its principles are based on becoming one with nature. Like astrology and palmistry, it is a vast & complicated science, easily misunderstood by most people. Most people all over the world will not think twice before spending huge amounts of cash on designing their houses and they should rightly do so. But when the house does not bring them peace and harmony and instead the ill effects of vaastu are experienced, the same people consult astrologers, palmists, tarot card readers and some blame their destiny or luck.
Vaastu is essentially the art of correct settings - one can place himself in such a manner as to derive maximum benefits. The ancient relics say that Vaastu is based on two forces "positive" and "negative" which are constantly interacting with each other on the surface of the land. These forces get disturbed whenever any structure is erected on a vacant land, and act to maintain a balance.Vaastu is practically the science of building or science of structures. Though not fully backed by scientific principles, it can be accepted as a science that is backed by results and observations only .The present day vaastu absorbs the theories of the past and super-imposes it on the environs of today. Vaastu is an applied science, which is enabling man to live in harmony with nature.
The characters that qualify Vaastu as a science are rationality, back up of a theory, permanency, universality, replicability, and utility. Vaastu is based on gravity and weights, which is a universal law, and hence it can be adapted to the changing scenario of the society.

Manifestation of the effects of Vaastu: The vaastu effects are highly specific to sex, age, group and other classifications of the residents. Balancing of the weights of the components of a plot is primary in studying the vaastu of a plot. The heavier things in a plot are the building, water storage structures above the ground, trees and even rubbish dumped in different areas. The four types of vaastu occurrences including both good and bad are the cause, the trigger, the contributor, and the moderator. There are four cardinal directions and four corners where they meet. Corners are more important than the main sides. The effects of vaastu are highly specific to the zones. NORTH Vayu controls northwest, Kuber controls mid north, Eshwar controls northeast.Vayu - public relations, economic conditions, and improvement of business.Kuberan - wealthEshwar - the life of the daughter and lineage.EAST
Eshwar northeast, Indra-mid east, Agni-south eastSOUTH
Agni-south east, Yama-mid south, Nairu-south west. South controls the bad aspects of life.WEST
Nairu -southwest, Varuna mid west, Vayu northwest
The corners where two sides meet are named exclusively after the gods who govern them. Easanya corner is the northeast corner, Agni the southeast, Nairudhi, the southwest, and Vayu, the northwest corner.
The three major sectors in environmental features are: physical features, neighborhood, and road featuresPhysical features (mountains, rivers, streams, ditches.) are very powerful than man-made changes. Hills in the south, southwestern and western sides of the plot are ideal. The raised space in the east, northeast, north of the plot is bad and those in south, southwest and west are good. Trees directly opposite to the main door are bad, but are beneficial in the west, south-west, and south.
Avenue trees will pose problems for north and east facing plots. The basics of vaastu shastra insist on the need for leaving the east open so that light falls freely from the rising sun. The house that remains in constant shade invites diseases for the inhabitants. It is not recommended to have a permanent residence with a view to a large water body.
Water bodies are beneficial in the north, northeast and the east of the plot. The rivers flowing in the northern side of the plot is inauspicious and if it is from west to east, or from south to east it brings abundant wealth to the residents.
The vaastu components bestowed by nature are more powerful than man-made changes.

Large open spaces in the northern and eastern sides of the plot are beneficial.

The effluents of the neighbors should not flow into the plot. If the wall built by the neighbor in the east or north is very high then the opposite walls should be higher. The north east of the building should be extended beyond the neighbor’s buildings in north and east.

North and east facing plots-auspicious and causes health and wealth.

South and west facing plots-ordinary.

If there are two roads for the plot it is preferable to have two adjacent roads than to have two opposite roads. Plot at the end of the road is said to mar all the progress.

THE LAND: The north and east facing plots are ideal. The south and west facing plots are second. Following plots must be avoided

Which have by nature trees that yield milky sap on cutting

On which shadows of temple fall Near bridges, moats and with large holes in nearby plots

On the border of the town or center of the village and which is always wet

With a pond on the corner and with stagnation of waste water

With pebbles, termite hills, big rocks and boulders

TREES AND PLANTS: No trees opposite doors. No thorny plants. No plants that yield milky sap on cutting. No plants with red flowers. Trees should be even in number.

SOIL :

Living soil-trees and plants flourish and the plot from a distance looks green and has sufficient water

White colored soil-for those in knowledge, education and learning

Red- for those in power and in government service

Yellow-for those in business

Black-for those doing physical work

DEPRESSIONS : In the east and northeast are good. If the south, west, north west an d south west zones of a plot are by nature raised and if the east, north east, and the north are by nature depressed and the road is in the north or east or both, this land according to the sastras yield unending wealth.

THE SLOPE, RAISED PLACES & SHAPE: Rainwater should flow eastwards or northwards and exit the plot close to the northeast corner. Land should slope to the northeast. If south, south east, west and the center of the plot is raised it indicates prosperity. A rectangular plot is the ideal one. Open spaces in east, south and north east is good.

COMPOUND WALL : The height of the compound wall should be at least two thirds of the height of the main door .The northern wall should be built only after the house is completed. Walls should be built just prior to the building of the house. The gates should not be in the extreme corner of the façade. Movement of the doors or gates should be clockwise. Both the main gate and the house door should face the same direction. Northeast is the best place to have a well, water sumps and septic tanks. Placing Tulasi on the east and low-lying north yield good results. Outhouse is disallowed in the northeast area Car parks can be built in the northwest, southeast or the south west of the plot.

BUILDING : Excavation for the compound wall must commence from the northeast; the construction must start from southwest to southeast and then from southwest to northwest.

DOORS : It is preferable to keep the door in the middle of the façade .If there is a west entrance there has to be an east entrance too. If there is only one entrance it should be placed in east or north .If the house has two doors then east in combination with north or west is allowed. If the doors are three, doors excluding east or west is auspicious .The number of doors within the house should be even in number. Main entrance may consist of single or double doors.
If the main door is in the north east and facing north or east, in the east and facing north east, in the south east and facing south, in the south and facing south east, in the west and facing north west - auspicious.

WINDOWS, WALLS, SHAPE & STAIR CASE : There should be more windows in the north and east than the south and west. The number of windows should be even in number.The internal walls should run linearly and should not have bends, cuts, or curves.
The ideal proportions for size of the building are 1.5:1, 2:1 for length to breadth. A square building is not good.The steps are best at the southwest zone. The south and west are second choices. The climbing should be done from east to west or from north to south. The internal stairs should not touch the north or east walls of the building. The spiral staircase should not be placed on the northeast corner.

SLOPES : Slopes are preferred in the east and the north directions only. The slope or slant should be for the entire façade of the direction of the building. The slopes should not affect the height of the walls of the house.

ROOMS : Bedrooms Should not overlook water bodies, should not be placed above porticoes, car parks or kitchen, should not be placed on four pillars with no construction beneath, should not be in the central area of the building or in the basement. Bedrooms can safely be placed in south west, west, south and north west of the building .The south east and the north east give the most disastrous results amongst all the bedroom positions.
Master bedroom is best in the southwest. The south bedroom should have its door in the north facing northeast and the west bedroom in the east facing northeast. The northeast bedrooms can have doors in the east facing northeast or south facing southeast .The wardrobe can be fixed in the southwest and dressing table in south or west. It should be never placed opposite the bed. The bed should be placed in the south west of the room so that there is more space in the north and east. The bed however should not be placed in the extreme corner of the room. No mirror should be placed opposite to the bed.

Kitchen, Prayer room, Bathroom : Southeast is the best place for the kitchen and northwest is the second best option. The cook should face the east.The stove should not be in line with the door of the kitchen .The racks should be placed in the south and west wall. The vessels are to be placed in the west and south walls. There should not be a toilet or bathing room especially in north or east directions next to a kitchen.
Room in the northeast is the most preferred for Prayer Room.Praying towards south and west is good.The western room between the southwestern room and the northwestern room is to be the study room.
An exclusive bathroom is permissible in northeast of the building as flow of water in northeast is good. Water should exit in the northeast preferably in underground channels not visible to the eye. Toilets are preferred in the north west of the house, only if there is drainage facility. It should never be in the northeast corner.

Lofts : Lofts should be more in the south and west walls of the building. Never keep the loft at the northeast corner dusty or with cobwebs. Sleeping, eating or studying as well as decision-making should not be done below a loft.

Cellars : Cellars can be established only in the north side, east side, and north east of a building. It is better to have the Store Room in the south west corner, south side or west side.

Dining Hall : Dining hall can be placed in the mid east or mid west. The dining table in the kitchen itself can be placed in the northwest without touching the north wall. Doors and windows in the first floor should not be same as in number as the ground floor.

INTERIOR DECORATION :

The shoes and footwear should be placed in the southwest portion of the verandah or hall only. Almirahs should be placed in the southwest corner of the room only.

Cots should be placed more towards the south west of the room, but never in the southwest corner. Sofa should be placed more toward the south and west of the living room.

Place the study table in the south or west of the room. Mirrors should be fixed only on the north and east walls. No mirrors to be placed in the study rooms or opposite beds.

Heating appliances must be placed in the south east of the room. Fridges should be placed in the northwest.